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Wednesday August 30 - The great I AM
“I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. Exodus 3:6
God encountered Moses in the wilderness, caught his attention and then called him by name. Moses’ reply, “Here I am”, showed his undivided attention. God’s initial response was not to give instruction, but wonderfully God replied in like manner with an emphatic, “Here I AM”. When our ‘I am’ meets the great ‘I AM’ on holy ground miracles happen, lives change course, confusion becomes clarity, darkness is dispelled, fear turns to faith...
What a wonderful promise, that when we ‘draw near to God, he will draw near to us’ (James 4:8). The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob stood before Moses. The one who had seen and heard the misery of his children in Egypt had come down to rescue them. “I AM” is the ultimate statement of God’s self-sufficiency, self-existence, and immediate presence. Praise God that his existence is not contingent upon anyone else!
Moses needed to acknowledge God. Today, we must recognise the ‘I AM’ to be the God of Abraham and his seed, extending through the generations to you and me. He is our God! It’s the message Jesus gave to a distraught Mary Magdalene in the garden: “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God” (John 20:17).
Join with me with a thankful heart, affirming that Jesus’ Father is your Father, and his God is your God!
Father God, we thank you that we can know and worship you, the great ‘I AM’, in and through your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Thursday August 31 - Who am I?
But Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” Exodus 3:11
The conversation moves on from God saying, “I have come down to rescue my people” (v 8) to “I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people out of Egypt” (v 11). I can imagine Moses’ mood swinging from elation to fear – feeling totally inadequate, knowing the task is humanly beyond him. There are many occasions when I have been out of my depth – even worse, seemingly being asked to walk on water! “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9) has become an integral part of my testimony. Even writing this reflection now, let alone being the editor of Living Light, is beyond me.
“Who am I?” is a fundamentally important question. Our answer reflects how we see ourselves, determining thoughts, actions, character and eventually destiny. The question does not address our feelings, ability or even our faith, but how we see ourselves. God needs you! His Son is head of the Church (Colossians 1:18) and every head needs a body (1 Corinthians 12:27).
If I see myself as just an earthen vessel, then that is the ceiling on my life; but if I see myself as an earthen vessel with a treasure within (2 Corinthians 4:7), the ceiling isn’t just lifted, it is removed! I am then able to believe that ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me’ (Philippians 4:13).
Father, please forgive my unbelief. Today I choose to agree with who you say I am, for the glory of your name. Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
PRAYER FOR TODAY
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